Mar 23 - 29

Monday, March 23 - These cute girls were excited to get their snowflakes out of the Borax and water solution to see the results. They were super cool! What a fun tea party...the fun keeps going! The boys slept over at mom's tonight and Kendra wanted to make cupcakes all by herself. She did a really great job and learned some fun techniques to frost cupcakes. She's my little mini-me. :)

Tuesday, March 24 - The kids requested cinnamon rolls for dinner and Ricki *INSISTED* on having pink frosting. I started them a little late. I forget every time I make them that it is a good 3-hour process! While they waited for them to bake, the kids went out to jump so Simon joined them out there too. They were pretty happy once they were ready. And...YUM!

Wednesday, March 25 - The kids are still trying to do new things to keep themselves busy while we're social distancing. The girls did makeovers then played a game that the Olson's taught us (via Google Hangouts). One person draws a picture and explains to the other person how to draw it. They aren't allowed to look at each other's pictures though until the very end. It's actually kind of fun. I enjoying playing it with them too. :) 

Thursday, March 26 - The kids' Principal, Mr. Butler, asked the kids both yesterday and today to go outside and build a snowman. He then put all the pictures collected on a slideshow. Kendra, Zack, and Ricki all went outside to build a snowman but due to an 11-year-old tantrum (and the subsequent destruction of the 5-year-old's first snowman), Kendra was sent to her room and wasn't able to finish her snowman. These two cuties made it in the slideshow though! 

Kendra set a goal a while back to do a 500 piece puzzle on her own and completed it right away. With all the extra home time we have now, she decided to tackle a 1,000 piece puzzle. It did take her a couple of days but she got it done and did it by herself! Good job Kendra!

Friday, March 27 - We decided that it was time to get away! On Tuesday, I called my sister and asked if the St. George house might be available soon. And just like that, we left Friday for a weekend getaway! We were able to drive straight through without stopping; which was great with the epidemic going on. We got in around 4:00, unloaded our stuff, disinfected every surface of the house that we could think of, then did something we haven't done in about a month now - got take-out food. We went to Chick-Fil-A and got curbside take-out, came back to the house, and used the current disinfecting solutions to rid any containers of Covid-19 (Coronavirus). It tasted SOOOO good! 

Saturday, March 28 - Oh Nick! Always with THAT pose! :) We spent most of the day at Snow Canyon, practicing safe social distancing. Of course, however, there was a story in the news about how too many people were in that specific canyon today. Grrr! Anyway, we had a nice time together. We drove up and down the canyon, hiked to the lava tubes (which were super creepy!), hiked a small trail called Pioneer Names, and watched while a crazy rock climbing couple climbed what looked like an impossible rock face! It was a good day topped off by a RedBox movie, "Playing with Fire".

Sunday, March 29 - We spent Sunday at the St. George house. We read, watched a movie ("The Peanut Butter Falcon"), had "at-home church", and played lots of games. I taught the kids how to play Racko, a game I played a ton as a kid. A neat experience that we had was participating in a day of fasting and prayer in conjunction with the rest of the church. President Nelson asked anyone willing and able to pray and fast for relief for those suffering with Covid-19. Specifically their health, mental state, and economic effects of this devastating virus. This has been a difficult but really awesome time of reflection and self-evaluation. Even though it is hard and my heart is with anyone affected by this, I am sure grateful for the extra time I get with my family. 💕

Mar 16 - 22

Monday, March 16 - A little Coronavirus humor because if I don't laugh, I cry! :) 

Tuesday, March 17 - The teachers got two work days to get ready for online learning so my kids took full advantage of their two impromptu days off. We call this "The School of Olaf". Disney, a company that I LOVE anyway, put Frozen II on the Disney Plus channel several months ahead of when they planned as a way to help the kids feel a little more comfortable with the situation going on right now. We were so excited about that!

Wednesday, March 18 - When it rains, it pours! We were shook awake this morning by a magnitude 5.7 earthquake! The epicenter was in Magna (which dad said was insane!). I have always been terrified of earthquakes and I have the strangest feeling when we have one; like my blood turns ice cold running through me! We've had over a hundred aftershocks today as well, the two on that picture, we felt very strongly. Yikes! 

Ricki, of course, woke up with a goopy eye so hopefully that clears up on its own because I do not want to go to a doctor right now! And...since we are home and not really doing normal things, we all forgot that yesterday was St. Patrick's Day until at least lunchtime. We deferred our fun until this morning and had green pancakes. :) Then, it was right on to the homeschooling! The kids were little rock stars! They all just did what needed to be done, asked questions when needed, and they were all four finished with all their schoolwork by 12:30! I think I may like this home school thing! 

Thursday, March 19 - Despite all the restrictions, we are doing our annual Girl's Tea Party so mom came over and got her nails done with blue tips and snowflakes. When she left, both Kendra and Ricki suddenly needed to get their nails done. I did blue sparkle tips on Kendra and Ricki requested pink & orange nails. I didn't take a picture of that! :) 

Friday, March 20 - I have been so pleased with all of my kiddos during this trying time! They all go outside and play together, they play games together, and they even sit and help each other on their school work. They are surpassing all of my expectations and making this an oddly pleasant experience. It's a good thing because I don't really see this social distancing ending anytime soon!

Saturday, March 21 - Mom threw the best Tea Party yet! The theme was "Frozen II" and it was so so so much fun! The house was all decked out in snowflakes, blue and purple decor, and all the food was on theme. The little girls looked beautiful and we just had a blast being there together and enjoying each other's company. We watched "Frozen II" while we ate Frozen-flavored ice cream Frozen cookies. Best day ever!!

Sunday, March 22 - After we did church at home, we called Dave and Viv to see what they were up to. We needed some fresh air so we went for a little nature walk up Yellow Fork Canyon. It was beautiful up there and although there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, we didn't run into too many people. When we got home, we had a yummy fondue dinner (which Nick has been requesting since before his birthday). It really has been a good weekend despite everything going on in the world!

Mar 9 - 15

Monday, March 9 - Today is National Women's Day so there have been tons of meme's going around about how we need to empower women. Marisa and I had a discussion at work about how sometimes feminism turns into bashing men and their roles. Appropriately, I pulled up Instagram and this was one of the first posts I read. Amen! We each have our unique and separate roles that when utilized together, empowers both genders to be the best they can be. I really believe this. So go women! And go men! :)

Tuesday, March 10 - Who has two thumbs and got his braces off today?? This guy right here!! He looks so great! Everyone keeps telling me he looks older without his braces but I think he looks like my same old sweet Nick! 

Wednesday, March 11 - Ricki and Bridget saved the day with a picture! We went to Cafe Rio for lunch (which probably won't be happening again for a while) and apparently, Ricki got a hold of my phone. Glad they had some entertainment as us moms sat and visited. :) After lunch, mom, Ricki, and I went to JCPenney to get Nick's birthday gift from mom. We ended up getting a lot more than church shoes and a pair of pants! :) It was fun being with mom all day. 

Thursday, March 12 - I was able to watch sweet little Kayla and Kam while Katie had a massage.When she came back, we did St. Patrick's Day nails. Aren't they cute? I loved getting to spend so much time with the little Howard family today.

Friday, March 13 - The world has gone crazy! Every shelf is empty at every store. There is no toilet paper to be found...anywhere! I am more thankful now than ever that I have food storage and a way to feed my family, even if the grocery store is empty. They closed schools today until at least March 30. We will be doing home school for the next two weeks and possibly longer than that depending on what happens with the CoronaVirus. This is a scary time! 

On a brighter note: Happy birthday Viv! Dave & Viv came and picked up Nick and they went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It's Nick's favorite restaurant and they like it too so they went and celebrated. I'm glad that they went because restaurants are starting to shut their doors to guests to start social distancing to stop the spread of the virus.

Saturday, March 14 - Everything is shutting down! Schools, restaurants, and all sporting events are closed down; including Zack's last indoor soccer game. The government and church is advising us to stay far away from everyone else and basically quarantine ourselves from everyone but our closest family members. We had a "jammie day". I got up late and stayed in this sweatshirt and PJ pants all day long. I am trying to come up with a schedule to keep my kids busy and on track while we are out of school. Basically, we need a homeschooling schedule. I'm working on it.

Sunday, March 15 - We braved the elements and went to dinner at mom and dad's. Mom made homemade spaghetti so it was definitely worth it! Kendra was in heaven holding sleeping baby Kayla. She's such a joy!!

Mar 2 - 8

Monday, March 2 - Late at night when all the kids are in bed and Simon is asleep on the couch, I look at Instagram and occasionally buy a shirt that I think is ridiculously cute! :) So glad I have a job and a little spending money to make purchases that make me happy.

Tuesday, March 3 - This is Stewart. I don't remember if he's the 3rd or the 4th or even the 5th. But we caught him. And he is dead.

Wednesday, March 4 - This cute girl has a few new things that she's obsessed with. First of all, Grandma Sandi let her borrow this Spiderman suit today and she hasn't taken it off for even a moment. Secondly, she wants to paint...like all the time! She paints pictures to give to people. Grandma's, her teacher at school, her teacher at church...anyone that she thinks would like one. I'm happy she's found a hobby to keep her busy because as this Coronavirus heats up here in Utah, we may be spending a lot of time at home!

Thursday, March 5 - We had a very fun YM/YW activity tonight. We did line dancing at a local Herriman church with the special needs youth ward. These kids, and I, had so much fun learning some new dances and hanging out with the kids with various disabilities. 

Friday, March 6 - I can't believe Nick is already 14! This kid is kind, thoughtful, smart, independent, and always has a smile on his face! If he represents what raising a teenager will be like, we are in for nothing but a treat! After the younger kids went to school, Nick and I went to McDonald's for breakfast. He was thrilled because he was able to get a Vanilla Coke, his favorite drink. Tonight, while Zack went to Colton Madsen's birthday party and had a blast, Simon and I took Nick to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. He got an adult meal and was on cloud 9! Happy birthday Nick! We love you SO SO SO much and are very thankful to have you in our family!

Saturday, March 7 - We had a busy Saturday! It was supposed to start with me getting a massage but my massage therapist cut her hand and had to get stitches. Poor thing! At noon, Simon and Zack went with his family to the home opener game of Real Salt Lake. They had a good time. Then, I went to a Citrus Pear class with my cute friends while Simon went and coached his indoor soccer team. Luckily, the whole team was there so they were able to get a picture. I was glad because Halle and Brielle will be out of town next Saturday so this is a great picture! (On a side note: I'm writing this a few weeks later and the Coronavirus has us practicing "social distancing" for a minimum of two weeks. I am SO thankful that we have an extra 20 freezer meals that I didn't have before this night. What a blessing!)

Sunday, March 8 - Happy birthday Gary! Since Gary and Nick share the same birthday week, we celebrated them both tonight at family dinner. Also, it was great to be there because Uncle Gary returns home to England tomorrow, March 9. It sure has been a pleasure getting to know him and learning more about him, his family, and hearing memories from "back home". We are hoping he comes again in about a year. He may even bring more of his family with him. We sure hope so!